Mobile computing device and wearable computing device having automatic access mode control

ABSTRACT

A system can include a mobile computing device and a wearable computing device. The wearable computing device can include a sensor that outputs an indication that the wearable computing device is not being worn. Responsive to receiving the indication that the wearable computing device is being not being worn, one or both of the devices can be operable to change an access mode of computing environment provided by the respective device from an increased access mode to a reduced access mode.

This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 14/640,808,filed Mar. 6, 2015, which is a Continuation of application Ser. No.14/044,558, filed on Oct. 2, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/859,861, filed Jul. 30, 2013, theentire contents of each of which being incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Some computing devices are configured to operate in multiple accessmodes, such as a reduced access mode, in which the computing devicepermits a user of a device to access a reduced set of functionalityprovided by the computing device, and an increased access mode, in whichthe computing device permits a user to access a larger or a complete setof functionality provided by the computing devices. In some examples,computing devices may present one or more security challenges that auser is required to complete in order to change the access mode from thereduced access mode to the increased access mode. For example, acomputing device may output, for display at a display device, a userinterface screen including one or more user interface elements thatprompt a user to input security information, such as a password, apersonal identification number (PIN), a pattern or biometric data (e.g.,fingerprint, voice, image, or the like). In response to receivingindications of the security information, the computing device maycompare the input security information to a saved copy of the securityinformation, and, upon confirming a match, may change from the reducedaccess mode to the increased access mode.

SUMMARY

In one example, the disclosure describes a method including receiving,by a processor of a wearable computing device, an indication that thewearable computing device is not being worn by a user of the wearablecomputing device. In accordance with this example, the method also mayinclude, responsive to receiving the indication that the wearablecomputing device is not being worn by the user: changing, by theprocessor, an access mode of a computing environment of the wearablecomputing device from a first increased access mode to a first reducedaccess mode; and transmitting, by the processor of the wearablecomputing device, to a mobile computing device, an instruction to changean access mode of a computing environment of the mobile computing devicefrom a second increased access mode to a second reduced access mode.

In another example, the disclosure describes a system that includes amobile computing device comprising one or more mobile computing deviceprocessors and a wearable computing device comprising one or morewearable computing device processors and a sensor. The sensor may beconfigured to generate a first indication that the wearable computingdevice is being worn by a user and a second indication that the wearablecomputing device is not being worn by the user. The system further mayinclude a mobile computing device access mode module operable by the oneor more mobile computing device processors to receive the secondindication and change, based at least in part on the second indication,an access mode of a computing environment of the mobile computing devicefrom a first increased access mode to a first reduced access mode inwhich the user is permitted access to a smaller set of functionalityprovided by the mobile computing device than when operating in the firstincreased access mode. The system additionally may include a wearablecomputing device access mode module operable by the one or more wearablecomputing device processors to receive the second indication and change,based at least in part on the second indication, an access mode of acomputing environment of the wearable computing device from a secondincreased access mode to a second reduced access mode in which the useris permitted access to a smaller set of functionality provided by thewearable computing device than when operating in the second increasedaccess mode.

In another example, the disclosure describes a computer-readable storagedevice storing instructions that, when executed, cause at least oneprocessor of a mobile computing device to receive an indication that awearable computing device is not being worn by a user of the wearablecomputing device; and, responsive to receiving the indication that thewearable computing device is not being worn by the user, change anaccess mode of a computing environment of the mobile computing devicefrom an increased access mode to a reduced access mode.

The details of one or more examples are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features, objects, andadvantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and fromthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating an example systemincluding a mobile computing device and a wearable computing device, inwhich the devices are operable to change access modes based at least inpart on indications that the wearable computing device being worn by auser and the devices are within a threshold distance of each other, inaccordance with one or more techniques of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating further details of one example ofa mobile computing device as shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with one ormore techniques of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating further details of one example ofa wearable computing device as shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with oneor more techniques of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4-9 are flow diagrams illustrating example techniques for changingaccess modes of a mobile computing device and a wearable computingdevice based at least in part on indications that the wearable computingdevice being worn by a user and that the devices are within a thresholddistance of each other, in accordance with one or more techniques of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques according to the disclosure describes a system including amobile computing device and a wearable computing device, which can becommunicatively coupled, e.g., using a wireless communication protocol.The wearable computing device can include at least one sensor thatoutputs an indication that the wearable computing device is being wornby a user. Responsive to receiving the indication that the wearablecomputing device is being worn and based at least in part on anindication that the devices are within a threshold distance of eachother, one or both of the devices can be operable to change an accessmode of computing environment provided by the respective device from areduced access mode to an increased access mode. In some examples, oneor both of the mobile computing device and the wearable computing devicecan be operable to determine that the devices are within the thresholddistance of each other. In other examples, the indication that thedevices are within the threshold distance of each other may be apresence of a wireless communication coupling between the devices.

In some examples, responsive to receiving the indication that thewearable computing device is being worn and based at least in part on anindication that the devices are within a threshold distance of eachother, one or both of the devices can be operable to output a securitychallenge. The security challenge may include a user interface screenthat prompts a user of the wearable computing device to input a securitychallenge response, such as a password, a PIN, a pattern, biometric data(e.g., fingerprint, voice, image, or the like), etc. Responsive toverifying the response to the security challenge against a savedresponse to the security challenge, the wearable computing device andthe mobile computing device can each be operable to change an accessmode of computing environment provided by the respective device from areduced access mode to an increased access mode. When operating in thereduced access mode, the device can be operable to permit a user of thedevice to only access a reduced set of functionality provided by thedevice. When operating in the increased access mode, the device can beoperable to permit the user to access a larger or a complete set offunctionality provided by the device.

In some examples, the mobile computing device and the wearable computingdevice can be operable to remain in the increased access modes while thewearable computing device is worn by the user and the devices are withinthe threshold distance of each other, rather than reverting to thereduced access mode after a period of inactivity or a threshold timeafter the user has last interacted with the wearable computing deviceand/or the mobile computing device. However, responsive to receiving anindication that the devices are no longer within the threshold distanceof each other, the mobile computing device may be operable to change itsaccess mode from the increased access mode to the reduced access mode.Additionally or alternatively, responsive to receiving an indicationthat the wearable computing device is no longer being worn by the user,both the wearable computing device and the mobile computing device canbe operable to change their respective access modes from the increasedaccess mode to the reduced access mode.

Because the wearable computing device is being worn and the devices arewithin a threshold distance of each other, which can indicate that theuser is maintaining control over both devices, maintaining the devicesin the increased access mode until the wearable computing device is notbeing worn and/or the devices are not within a threshold distance ofeach other may not reduce security of the devices. Moreover, by notreverting to the reduced access mode, even after a period of inactivity,while the wearable computing device is being worn and/or the devices arewithin a threshold distance of each other, the wearable computing deviceand the mobile computing device may allow the user to more easilyinteract with a larger or complete set of functionality of the devices,e.g., without having to respond to another security challenge each timethe user wants to interact with the device(s).

FIG. 1 is a conceptual block diagram illustrating an example systemincluding a mobile computing device 10 and a wearable computing device20, in which the devices 10 and 20 are operable to change access modesbased at least in part on indications that the wearable computing devicebeing worn by a user and the devices are within a threshold distance ofeach other, in accordance with one or more techniques of the presentdisclosure. In the example of FIG. 1, mobile computing device 10includes at least one user interface (UI) device 12, a UI module 14, amobile computing device access mode module 16, and a telemetry module18. Other examples of mobile computing device 10 that implementtechniques of this disclosure may include additional components notshown in FIG. 1. Examples of mobile computing device 10 may include, butare not limited to, portable devices such as mobile phones (includingsmart phones), laptop computers, tablet computers, cameras, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), etc.

Wearable computing device 20 can include a UI device 22, a sensor 34, aUI module 24, a wearable computing device access mode module 26, atelemetry module 28, and a band 30. In some examples, UI device 22 andother electronic components of wearable computing device 20 may be atleast partially enclosed by a housing 36. Additionally, wearablecomputing device 20 can include a band 30 or other member, such as astrap or frame, for physically securing wearable computing device 20when being worn by a user. In the example of FIG. 1, band 30 ismechanically coupled to housing 36. In some examples, instead of band 30and housing 36 being separate structures mechanically coupled to eachother, band 30 and housing 36 may be a single, unitary structure. Asshown in the example of FIG. 1, the first portion 30 a of band 30 andsecond portion 30 b of band 30 mechanically connect at connectingstructure 32. Connecting structure 32 can include, for example, a clasp,clip, snap, buckle or other mechanism operable to physically securefirst portion 30 a and second portion 30 b of band 20 when wearablecomputing device 20 is worn by a user. Other examples of wearablecomputing device 20 that implement techniques of this disclosure mayinclude additional components not shown in FIG. 1.

Examples of wearable computing device 20 can include, but are notlimited to, a smart watch, bracelet, wrist band, ankle band, etc.

Mobile computing device 10 can include at least one UI device 12. A userassociated with mobile computing device 10 can interact with mobilecomputing device 10 by providing various user inputs into mobilecomputing device 10, e.g., using at least one UI device 12. In someexamples, the at least one UI device 12 is configured to receivetactile, audio, or visual input. In addition to receiving input from auser, UI device 12 can be configured to output content such as agraphical user interface (GUI) for display, e.g., at a display deviceassociated with mobile computing device 10. In some examples, UI device12 can include a display and/or a presence-sensitive input device. Insome examples, the display and the presence-sensitive input device maybe integrated into a presence-sensitive display, which displays the GUIand receives input from the user using capacitive, inductive, and/oroptical detection at or near the presence sensitive display. In otherexamples, the display device can be physically separate from apresence-sensitive device associated with mobile computing device 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, mobile computing device 10 also can include UImodule 14. UI module 14 can perform one or more functions to receiveindications of input, such as user input, and send the indications ofthe input to other components associated with mobile computing device10, such as mobile computing device access mode module 16. For example,UI module 14 may receive an indication of a gesture performed by theuser at UI device 12. UI module 14 may also receive information fromcomponents associated with mobile computing device 10, such as mobilecomputing device access mode module 16. Using the information, UI module14 may cause other components associated with mobile computing device10, such as UI device 12, to provide output based on the information.For instance, UI module 14 may receive information from mobile computingdevice access mode module 16 and cause UI device 12 to displayinformation at a display device associated with mobile computing device10 (e.g., which is part of mobile computing device 10 or is operablycoupled to mobile computing device 10).

UI module 14 can be implemented in various ways. For example, UI module14 can be implemented as a downloadable or pre-installed application or“app.” In another example, UI module 14 can be implemented as part of ahardware unit of mobile computing device 10. In another example, UImodule 14 can be implemented as part of an operating system of mobilecomputing device 10.

In the example of FIG. 1, mobile computing device 10 also includes atelemetry module 18. Mobile computing device 10 can utilize telemetrymodule 18 to communicate with external devices via one or more networks,such as one or more wireless networks. Examples of such wirelessnetworks may include Bluetooth, 3G, and WiFi wireless networks. In someexamples, mobile computing device 10 utilizes telemetry module 18 towirelessly communicate with wearable computing device 20.

Similarly, wearable computing device 20 can include at least one UIdevice 22. A user associated with wearable computing device 20 mayinteract with wearable computing device 20 by providing various userinputs into wearable computing device 20, e.g., using at least one UIdevice 22. In some examples, the at least one UI device 22 is configuredto receive tactile, audio, or visual input. In addition to receivinginput from a user, UI device 22 can be configured to output content suchas a graphical user interface (GUI) for display, e.g., at a displaydevice associated with wearable computing device 20. In some examples,UI device 22 can include a display and/or a presence-sensitive inputdevice. In some examples, the display and the presence-sensitive inputdevice may be integrated into a presence-sensitive display, whichdisplays the GUI and receives input from the user using capacitive,inductive, and/or optical detection at or near the presence sensitivedisplay. In other examples, the display device can be physicallyseparate from a presence-sensitive device associated with wearablecomputing device 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, wearable computing device 20 also can include UImodule 24. UI module 24 can perform one or more functions to receiveindication of input, such as user input, and send the indications of theinput to other components associated with wearable computing device 20,such as wearable computing device access mode module 26. For example, UImodule 24 may receive an indication of a gesture performed by the userat UI device 22. UI module 24 may also receive information fromcomponents associated with wearable computing device 20, such aswearable computing device access mode module 26. Using the information,UI module 24 may cause other components associated with wearablecomputing device 20, such as UI device 22, to provide output based onthe information. For instance, UI module 24 may receive information fromwearable computing device access mode module 26 and cause UI device 22to display information at a display device associated with wearablecomputing device 20 (e.g., which is part of wearable computing device 20or is operably coupled to wearable computing device 20).

UI module 24 may be implemented in various ways. For example, UI module24 can be implemented as a downloadable or pre-installed application or“app.” In another example, UI module 24 can be implemented as part of ahardware unit of wearable computing device 20. In another example, UImodule 24 can be implemented as part of an operating system of wearablecomputing device 20.

In the example of FIG. 1, wearable computing device 20 also includes atelemetry module 28. Wearable computing device 20 can utilize telemetrymodule 28 to communicate with external devices via one or more networks,such as one or more wireless networks. Examples of such wirelessnetworks may include Bluetooth, 3G, and WiFi wireless networks. In someexamples, wearable computing device 20 utilizes telemetry module 28 towirelessly communicate with mobile computing device 10.

In some examples, mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20 may be operatively coupled to an external network usingrespective network links. The external network may include network hubs,network switches, network routers, etc., that are operativelyinter-coupled thereby providing for the exchange of information betweenmobile computing device 10 and the wearable computing device 20 (and/orother computing devices). Such connections may be wireless and/or wiredconnections. In some examples, mobile computing device 10 may becommunicatively coupled to wearable computing device 20 using directdevice communication. Direct device communication may includecommunications through which mobile computing device 10 sends andreceives data directly with wearable computing device 20, e.g., usingwireless communication. That is, in some examples of direct devicecommunication, data sent by mobile computing device 10 may not beforwarded by one or more additional devices before being received atwearable computing device 20, and vice-versa. Examples of direct devicecommunication techniques may include Bluetooth, Near-FieldCommunication, infrared, etc.

Wearable computing device 20 also includes a sensor 34. Sensor 34 can beconfigured to detect a parameter indicative of wearable computing device20 being worn by a user. For example, sensor 34 can include a proximitysensor, such as an infrared proximity sensor, a capacitive sensor, alight sensor, a physical button or contact, etc. Sensor 34 may beconfigured to detect or generate a signal when wearable computing device20 is being worn by a user. For example, sensor 34 can be configured tobe adjacent to and facing a wrist of the user when the user is wearingwearable computing device 20, such that the proximity of the user'swrist to sensor 34 generates a signal indicative of wearable computingdevice 20 being worn by the user or causes sensor 34 to generate asignal indicative of wearable computing device 20 being worn by theuser.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure, wearablecomputing device 20 can also include wearable computing device accessmode module 26, and mobile computing device 10 can also include mobilecomputing device access mode module 16. Access mode modules 16 and 26can be implemented in various ways. For example, access mode modules 16and 26 can be implemented as a downloadable or pre-installed applicationor “app.” In other examples, access mode modules 16 and 26 can beimplemented as part of hardware units of mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20, respectively, or as part of operatingsystems of mobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20,respectively.

Wearable computing device access mode module 26 can be operable tocontrol an access mode of a computing environment provided by wearablecomputing device 20. For example, wearable computing device access modemodule 26 can be operable to control the computing environment betweenat least a reduced access mode and an increased access mode. Whenoperating in the reduced access mode, the computing environment can beoperable to permit a user of the device to access a reduced set offunctionality provided by the device. When operating in the increasedaccess mode, the computing environment can be operable to permit theuser to access a larger or a complete set of functionality provided bythe device.

Similarly, mobile computing device access mode module 16 can be operableto control an access mode of a computing environment provided by mobilecomputing device 10. For example, mobile computing device access modemodule 16 can be operable to control computing environment between atleast a reduced access mode and an increased access mode.

Access mode modules 16 and 26 can be operable to control the accessmodes of mobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20,respectively, based at least in part on indications that wearablecomputing device 20 is being worn and that mobile computing device 10and wearable computing device 20 are located within a threshold distanceof each other. For example, wearable computing device access controlmodule 26 can be operable to receive an indication from sensor 34 thatwearable computing device 20 is being worn by a user. In some examples,wearable computing device 20 can be configured to transmit, to mobilecomputing device 10, using telemetry module 28, the indication thatwearable computing device 20 is being worn by the user.

Wearable computing device access mode module 26 and/or mobile computingdevice access mode module 16 can also be operable to receive anindication a distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20 is less than a threshold distance. In some examples,the indication that the distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 is less than a threshold distance may bethe presence of a wireless communication link between mobile computingdevice 10 and wearable computing device 20. The wireless communicationlink can be, for example, a direct wireless communication connection,such as Bluetooth or WiFi wireless network connection. In otherexamples, a respective module of one or both of mobile computing device10 and wearable computing device 20 can be operable to determine thatthe distance between devices 10 and 20 is less than the thresholddistance based at least in part on a wireless communication signalgenerated by telemetry module 18 and received by telemetry module 28,and/or a wireless communication signal generated by telemetry module 28and received by telemetry module 18. In other examples, a respectivemodule of one or both of mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20 can be operable to determine that the distancebetween devices 10 and 20 is less than the threshold distance based atleast in part on another type of signaling between devices 10 and 20,such as an optical signal generated by one of devices 10 and 20 andreceived by the other of devices 10 and 20, or an audible signalgenerated by one of devices 10 and 20 and received by the other ofdevices 10 and 20.

In some examples in which only one of mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 determines that the distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than thethreshold distance, the one of access mode modules 16 and 26 of thedevice 10 or 20 that determined that the distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than thethreshold distance can be operable to transmit, using the correspondingone of telemetry modules 18 and 28, the indication that the distancebetween mobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 isless than the threshold distance to the other device 10 or 20. In otherexamples in which only one of mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20 determines that the distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than thethreshold distance, the one of access mode modules 16 and 26 thatdetermines that the distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 is less than the threshold distance may nottransmit the indication that the distance between mobile computingdevice 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than the thresholddistance to the other device 10 or 20.

Hence, one or both of access mode modules 16 and 26 receive indicationsthat wearable computing device 20 is being worn by the user and that thedistance between wearable computing device 20 and mobile computingdevice 10 is less than a threshold distance. Together, these indicationscan signify that both devices 10 and 20 are under control (e.g.,physical control) of the user. In some examples, responsive to receivingthe indications, one or both of access mode modules 16 and 26 can beoperable to change the access mode of the computing environment providedby the computing device 10 or 20 in which the access mode module 16 or26 is included from a reduced access mode to an increased access mode.In other examples, responsive to receiving the indications, one or bothof access mode modules 16 and 26 can be operable to output a securitychallenge, e.g., to the corresponding UI module 14 or 24. In someexamples, the security challenge includes a user interface screen (fordisplay at the corresponding UI device 12 or 22) that prompts the userto input a security challenge response, such as a password, a PIN, apattern, biometric data (e.g., fingerprint, voice, image, or the like),etc. Responsive to receiving the input security challenge response, theaccess mode module 16 or 26 that output the security challenge mayverify the security challenge response against a stored securitychallenge response. Responsive to verifying the input security challengeresponse in view of the stored security challenge response, the accessmode module 16 or 26 that output the security challenge can be operableto change the access mode of the computing environment provided by thecomputing device 10 or 20 in which the access mode module 16 or 26 isincluded from a reduced access mode to an increased access mode.

Additionally, in some examples, the access mode module 16 or 26 thatoutput the security challenge can be operable to transmit, to the otherdevice of computing devices 10 and 20, an instruction to change anaccess mode of a computing environment provided by the other one ofcomputing devices 10 and 20 from a reduced access mode to an increasedaccess mode. In other examples, e.g., in which both access mode modules16 and 26 output a respective security challenge and receive a responseto the respective security challenge, the respective access mode modules16 and 26 can verify the respective security challenge response andchange the access mode of the computing environment provided by therespective one of computing devices 10 and 20 based on the respectiveverification.

In this way, in some examples, the technique may be implemented solelyby wearable computing device 20. In other words, in some examples,wearable computing device access mode module 26 can be operable toreceive the indications of the wearable computing device 20 being worn(e.g., from sensor 34) and the distance between mobile computing device10 and wearable computing device 20 being less than the thresholddistance, and, in response to the indications, can be operable to outputthe security challenge. Responsive to receiving an input securitychallenge response, wearable computing device access mode module 26 canbe operable to verify the security challenge response against a storedsecurity challenge response. Responsive to verifying the input securitychallenge response in view of the stored security challenge response,wearable computing device access mode module 26 can be operable tochange the access mode of the computing environment provided by wearablecomputing device 20 from the reduced access mode to the increased accessmode. Additionally, wearable computing device access mode module 26 canbe operable to transmit, to mobile computing device 10, an instructionto change an access mode of a computing environment provided by mobilecomputing device 10 from the reduced access mode to the increased accessmode.

In other examples, the technique may be implemented solely by mobilecomputing device 10. In other examples, some steps of the technique maybe implemented by mobile computing device 10 and other steps of thetechnique may be implemented by wearable computing device 20. In someexamples, some steps of the technique (e.g., determining that thedistance between the devices 10 and 20 is less than the thresholddistance and outputting a security challenge) can be performed by bothmobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20.

In some examples, the techniques of this disclosure can increase asecurity of wearable computing device 20 and/or mobile computing device10, e.g., compared to a computing device that is configured to becontrollable between a reduced access mode and an increased access modebased only on parameters associated with the single computing device.For example, the techniques can result in the devices 10 and 20 onlybeing placed in the increased access mode when wearable computing device20 is being worn, the distance between the devices 10 and 20 is lessthan a threshold distance, and one or both of the devices 10 and 20receive security challenge responses that are verifiable against savedsecurity challenge responses.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating further details of one example ofa mobile computing device 10 as shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with oneor more techniques of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates onlyone particular example of mobile computing device 10 as shown in FIG. 1,and many other examples of mobile computing device 10 may be used inother instances.

As shown in the example of FIG. 2, mobile computing device 10 includesone or more processors 40, one or more input devices 42, one or morecommunication units 44, one or more output devices 46, one or morestorage devices 48, and user interface (UI) device 12. In the example ofFIG. 2, mobile computing device 10 further includes UI module 14, mobilecomputing device access mode module 16, telemetry module 18, vicinitymodule 54, and operating system 50, which are executable by one or moreprocessors 40. Each of components 12, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48 are coupled(physically, communicatively, and/or operatively) using communicationchannels 52 for inter-component communications. In some examples,communication channels 52 may include a system bus, a networkconnection, an inter-process communication data structure, or any othermethod for communicating data. UI module 14, mobile computing deviceaccess mode module 16, telemetry module 18, vicinity module 54, andoperating system 50, may also communicate information with one another,as well as with other components in mobile computing device 10.

One or more processors 40, in one example, are configured to implementfunctionality and/or process instructions for execution within mobilecomputing device 10. For example, processors 40 may be capable ofprocessing instructions stored by one or more storage devices 48.Examples of one or more processors 40 may include, any one or more of amicroprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmablegate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry.

One or more storage devices 48 may be configured to store informationwithin mobile computing device 10 during operation. Storage devices 48,in some examples, include a computer-readable storage medium orcomputer-readable storage device. In some examples, storage devices 48include a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose of storagedevice 48 is not long-term storage. Storage devices 48, in someexamples, include a volatile memory, meaning that storage device 48 doesnot maintain stored contents when power is not provided to storagedevice 48. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories(RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random accessmemories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art.In some examples, storage devices 48 are used to store programinstructions for execution by processors 40. Storage devices 48, in someexamples, are used by software or applications running on mobilecomputing device 10 (e.g., mobile computing device access mode module16) to temporarily store information during program execution.

In some examples, storage devices 48 may further include one or morestorage device 48 configured for longer-term storage of information. Insome examples, storage devices 48 include non-volatile storage elements.Examples of such non-volatile storage elements include magnetic harddiscs, optical discs, floppy discs, flash memories, or forms ofelectrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable andprogrammable (EEPROM) memories.

Mobile computing device 10, in some examples, also includes one or morecommunication units 44. Mobile computing device 10, in one example,utilizes communication unit 44 to communicate with external devices viaone or more networks, such as one or more wireless networks.Communication unit 44 may be a network interface card, such as anEthernet card, an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, orany other type of device that can send and receive information. Otherexamples of such network interfaces may include Bluetooth, 3G, and WiFiradios computing devices as well as Universal Serial Bus (USB). In someexamples, mobile computing device 10 utilizes communication unit 44 towirelessly communicate with an external device such as wearablecomputing device 20. Communication unit 44 may be controlled bytelemetry module 18.

Mobile computing device 1, in one example, also includes one or moreinput devices 42. Input device 42, in some examples, is configured toreceive input from a user through tactile, audio, or video sources.Examples of input device 42 include a presence-sensitive device, such asa presence-sensitive display, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice responsivesystem, video camera, microphone or any other type of device fordetecting a command from a user. In some examples, a presence-sensitivedisplay includes a touch-sensitive display.

One or more output devices 46 may also be included in mobile computingdevice 10. Output device 46, in some examples, is configured to provideoutput to a user using tactile, audio, or video stimuli. Output device46, in one example, includes a presence-sensitive display, a sound card,a video graphics adapter card, or any other type of device forconverting a signal into an appropriate form understandable to humans ormachines. Additional examples of output device 46 include a speaker, acathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, a liquid crystal display (LCD), organiclight emitting diode (OLED), or any other type of device that cangenerate intelligible output to a user. In some examples, UI device 12may include functionality of one or more of input devices 42 and/oroutput devices 46.

Mobile computing device 10 also can include UI device 12. In someexamples, UI device 12 is configured to receive tactile, audio, orvisual input. In addition to receiving input from a user, UI device 12can be configured to output content such as a GUI for display at adisplay device, such as a presence-sensitive display. In some examples,UI device 12 can include a presence-sensitive display that displays aGUI and receives input from a user using capacitive, inductive, and/oroptical detection at or near the presence sensitive display. In someexamples, UI device 12 is both one of input devices 44 and one of outputdevices 46.

In some examples, UI device 12 of mobile computing device 10 may includefunctionality of input devices 42 and/or output devices 46. In someexamples, a presence-sensitive device may detect an object at and/ornear the presence-sensitive device. As one example range, apresence-sensitive device may detect an object, such as a finger orstylus, which is within two inches or less of the presence-sensitivedevice. The presence-sensitive device may determine a location (e.g., an(x,y) coordinate) of the presence-sensitive device at which the objectwas detected. In another example range, a presence-sensitive device maydetect an object six inches or less from the presence-sensitive device.Other example ranges are also possible. The presence-sensitive devicemay determine the location of the device selected by the object usingcapacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques. In someexamples, the presence-sensitive device provides output to a user usingtactile, audio, or video stimuli as described with respect to outputdevice 46.

Mobile computing device 10 may include operating system 50. Operatingsystem 50, in some examples, controls the operation of components ofmobile computing device 10. For example, operating system 50, in oneexample, facilitates the communication of UI module 14 and mobilecomputing device access mode module 16 with processors 40, communicationunits 44, storage devices 48, input devices 42, and output devices 46.UI module 14, telemetry module, vicinity module 54, and mobile computingdevice access mode module 16 can each include program instructionsand/or data that are executable by mobile computing device 10 (e.g., byone or more processors 40). As one example, UI module 14 can includeinstructions that cause mobile computing device 10 to perform one ormore of the operations and actions described in the present disclosure.

In some examples, mobile computing device 10 can also include vicinitymodule 54. In other examples, mobile computing device 10 may not includevicinity module 54. Vicinity module 54 can be operable to determine thata distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20 (FIG. 1) is less than a threshold distance. In some examples,vicinity module 54 may determine whether the distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than thethreshold distance based at least in part on whether mobile computingdevice 10 is within range to communicate with wearable computing device20 using one or more communication units 44, e.g., via a directcommunication protocol between mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20, such as a Bluetooth or WiFi wireless networkconnection. For example, when mobile computing device 10 is able toestablish a direct wireless communication connection with wearablecomputing device 20, vicinity module 54 can be operable to determinethat the distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20 is less than the threshold distance.

In other examples, vicinity module 54 can be operable to determine anapproximate distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20. For example, vicinity module 54 can be operable toestimate the distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20 based at least in part on a signal generated by oneof devices 10 and 20 and received by the other of devices 10 and 20. Thesignal may include, for example, a wireless communication signal, anoptical signal, an audible signal, etc.

For example, telemetry module 18 can be operable to transmit, towearable computing device 20, using communication units 44, aninstruction to generate the signal. Responsive to receiving theinstruction, a component of wearable computing device 20 (e.g.,telemetry module 28 and communication unit 68 (FIG. 3)), an opticalsignal generator (e.g., a light source), or an audible signal generator(e.g., a speaker) can generate the signal according to predeterminedparameters, which may be stored at storage devices 48 (e.g., associatedwith vicinity module 54) or may be transmitted by telemetry module 28and communication unit 68 of wearable computing device 20 to mobilecomputing device 10.

Mobile computing device 10 can include an appropriate sensor fordetecting the signal generated by wearable computing device 20, such asone or more communications units 44, a camera, a microphone, etc.Vicinity module 54 can be operable to receive from the sensor, ordetermine based on a signal received from the sensor, a signal strengthof the received signal, which may account for one or more properties ofthe sensor, e.g., an antenna configuration of one or more communicationunits 44. Based on the parameters of the transmitted signal, thestrength of the received signal, and a mathematical relationship betweensignal strength and distance, vicinity module 54 can estimate thedistance between mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20.

In examples in which vicinity module 54 determines an approximatedistance between mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20, vicinity module 54 can be operable to determine whether thedistance is less than a threshold distance. In some examples, thethreshold distance can be a predefined value, e.g., a distance valuedetermined by a manufacturer or programmer of mobile computing device 10(and/or wearable computing device 20). In other examples, the thresholddistance can be a user defined value, which vicinity module 54 (ormobile computing device access mode module 16) can be operable to allowthe user to define, e.g., using a user interface screen output fordisplay at UI device 12.

In some examples, the threshold distance may be selected to be a valuethat indicates that mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20 are near each other, e.g., are sufficiently close that theuser of devices 10 and 20 is likely to have possession of both devices10 and 20 and/or is likely to have control of both devices 10 and 20.For example, the threshold distance may be selected to be a value thatis approximately equal to a common room dimension (e.g., about 3 to 5meters or about 9 to 15 feet). In other examples, the threshold distancemay be selected to be lesser (e.g., less than about 3 meters) or greater(e.g., greater than about 5 meters, such as about 10 meters, about 15meters, or about 20 meters).

Mobile computing device 10 can include additional components that, forclarity, are not shown in FIG. 2. For example, mobile computing device10 can include a battery to provide power to the components of mobilecomputing device 10. Similarly, the components of mobile computingdevice 10 shown in FIG. 2 may not be necessary in every example ofmobile computing device 10.

In accordance with one or more examples of the disclosure, mobilecomputing device access mode module 16 can be operable to control anaccess mode of a computing environment provided by mobile computingdevice 10, e.g., by one or more processors 40. For example, mobilecomputing device access mode module 16 can be operable to receive, fromwearable computing device 20, an indication that the wearable computingdevice 20 is being worn by a user. Mobile computing device access modemodule 16 can be operable to receive the indication from telemetrymodule 18, which can receive the indication from wearable computingdevice 20 using one or more communication units 44.

Additionally, mobile computing device access mode module 16 can beoperable to receive an indication that a distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than athreshold distance. As described above, vicinity module 54 can beoperable to determine that the threshold distance is less than thethreshold distance based at least in part on a signal generated by oneof devices 10 and 20 and received by the other of devices 10 and 20. Insome examples, vicinity module 54 can be operable to determine anapproximate distance between devices 10 and 20 and compare theapproximate distance to the threshold distance. Responsive todetermining that the distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 is less than the threshold distance,vicinity module 54 can be operable to communicate an indication of thatthe distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20 is less than the threshold distance to mobile computing deviceaccess mode module 16. Alternatively or additionally, mobile computingdevice access mode module 16 can be operable to receive the indicationthat the distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20 is less than a threshold distance from wearablecomputing device 20, e.g., using one or more communication units 44.

In some examples, responsive to receiving the indications that wearablecomputing device 20 is being worn and the distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than thethreshold distance, mobile computing device access mode module 16 can beoperable to output a security challenge. The security challenge mayinclude a user interface screen, output at UI device 12 by UI module 14,which prompts a user of mobile computing device 10 to input a securitychallenge response, such as a password, a PIN, a pattern, biometric data(e.g., fingerprint, voice, image, or the like), etc. Responsive toreceiving the input security challenge response, mobile computing deviceaccess control module 16 can be operable to verify the securitychallenge response against a stored security challenge response (e.g., asecurity challenge response input by the user when setting up thesecurity challenge). Responsive to verifying the input securitychallenge response in view of the stored security challenge response,mobile computing device access control module 16 can be operable tochange the access mode of the computing environment provided by mobilecomputing device 10 (e.g., one or more processors 40) from the reducedaccess mode to the increased access mode. In some examples, mobilecomputing device access mode module 16 can also be operable to causetelemetry module 18 to transmit, using communications units 44 and towearable computing device 20, an instruction to change an access mode ofa computing environment provided by wearable computing device 20 fromthe reduced access mode to the increased access mode.

In other examples, instead of being operable to perform each of thesesteps, mobile computing device access mode module 16 can be operable toperform other functions. For example, instead of being operable tooutput the security challenge in response to receiving the indicationsthat wearable computing device 20 is being worn and the devices 10 and20 are within the threshold distance of each other, access mode module16 may not be operable to receive any of the indications (e.g., of thewearable computing device 20 being worn, the devices 10 and 20 beingwithin the threshold distance of each other, or of the response to thesecurity challenge). Instead, in some examples, mobile computing deviceaccess mode module 16 can be operable to receive, from wearablecomputing device 20, an instruction to change the access mode of thecomputing environment provided by mobile computing device 10 from thereduced access mode to the increased access mode. Other examples of thesteps of the techniques described herein being performed by mobilecomputing device 10, wearable computing device 20, or both are alsopossible and within the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating further details of one example ofa wearable computing device as shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with oneor more techniques of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates onlyone particular example of wearable computing device 20 as shown in FIG.1, and many other examples of wearable computing device 20 may be usedin other instances.

As shown in the example of FIG. 3, wearable computing device 20 includesone or more processors 60, one or more input devices 62, one or morecommunication units 64, one or more output devices 66, one or morestorage devices 68, user interface (UI) device 22, and sensor 34. In theexample of FIG. 3, wearable computing device 20 further includes UImodule 24, wearable computing device access mode module 26, telemetrymodule 28, vicinity module 74, and operating system 70, which areexecutable by one or more processors 60. Each of components 22, 34, 60,62, 64, 66, and 68 are coupled (physically, communicatively, and/oroperatively) using communication channels 72 for inter-componentcommunications. In some examples, communication channels 72 may includea system bus, a network connection, an inter-process communication datastructure, or any other method for communicating data. UI module 24,wearable computing device access mode module 26, telemetry module 28,vicinity module 74, and operating system 70 may also communicateinformation with one another, as well as with other components inwearable computing device 20.

One or more processors 60, in one example, are configured to implementfunctionality and/or process instructions for execution within wearablecomputing device 20. For example, processors 60 may be capable ofprocessing instructions stored by storage device 68. Examples of one ormore processors 60 can include any one or more of a microprocessor, acontroller, a DSP, an ASIC, a FPGA, or equivalent discrete or integratedlogic circuitry.

One or more storage devices 68 may be configured to store informationwithin wearable computing device 20 during operation. Storage devices68, in some examples, include a computer-readable storage medium orcomputer-readable storage device. In some examples, storage devices 68include a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose of storagedevice 68 is not long-term storage. Storage devices 68, in someexamples, include a volatile memory, meaning that storage device 68 doesnot maintain stored contents when power is not provided to storagedevice 68. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories(RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random accessmemories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art.In some examples, storage devices 68 are used to store programinstructions for execution by processors 60. Storage devices 68, in someexamples, are used by software or applications running on wearablecomputing device 20 (e.g., wearable computing device access mode module26) to temporarily store information during program execution.

In some examples, storage devices 68 may further include one or morestorage device 68 configured for longer-term storage of information. Insome examples, storage devices 68 include non-volatile storage elements.Examples of such non-volatile storage elements include magnetic harddiscs, optical discs, floppy discs, flash memories, or forms ofelectrically programmable memories (EPROM) or electrically erasable andprogrammable (EEPROM) memories.

Wearable computing device 20, in some examples, also includes one ormore communication units 64. Wearable computing device 20, in oneexample, utilizes communication unit 64 to communicate with externaldevices via one or more networks, such as one or more wireless networks.Communication unit 64 may be a network interface card, such as anEthernet card, an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, orany other type of device that can send and receive information. Otherexamples of such network interfaces may include Bluetooth, 3G, and WiFiradios computing devices as well as Universal Serial Bus (USB). In someexamples, wearable computing device 20 utilizes communication unit 64 towirelessly communicate with an external device such as mobile computingdevice 10. Communication units 64 can be controlled by telemetry module28.

Wearable computing device 20, in one example, also includes one or moreinput devices 62. Input device 62, in some examples, is configured toreceive input from a user through tactile, audio, or video sources.Examples of input device 62 include a presence-sensitive device, such asa presence-sensitive display, a mouse, a keyboard, a voice responsivesystem, video camera, microphone or any other type of device fordetecting a command from a user. In some examples, a presence-sensitivedisplay includes a touch-sensitive display.

One or more output devices 66 may also be included in wearable computingdevice 20. Output device 66, in some examples, is configured to provideoutput to a user using tactile, audio, or video stimuli. Output device66, in one example, includes a presence-sensitive display, a sound card,a video graphics adapter card, or any other type of device forconverting a signal into an appropriate form understandable to humans ormachines. Additional examples of output device 66 include a speaker, aCRT monitor, a LCD, OLED, or any other type of device that can generateintelligible output to a user. In some examples, UI device 22 mayinclude functionality of one or more of input devices 62 and/or outputdevices 66.

Wearable computing device 20 also can include UI device 22. In someexamples, UI device 22 is configured to receive tactile, audio, orvisual input. In addition to receiving input from a user, UI device 22can be configured to output content such as a GUI for display at adisplay device, such as a presence-sensitive display. In some examples,UI device 22 can include a presence-sensitive display that displays aGUI and receives input from a user using capacitive, inductive, and/oroptical detection at or near the presence sensitive display. In someexamples, UI device 22 is both one of input devices 64 and one of outputdevices 66.

In some examples, UI device 22 of wearable computing device 20 mayinclude functionality of input devices 62 and/or output devices 66. Insome examples, a presence-sensitive device may detect an object atand/or near the presence-sensitive device. As one example range, apresence-sensitive device may detect an object, such as a finger orstylus, which is within two inches or less of the presence-sensitivedevice. The presence-sensitive device may determine a location (e.g., an(x,y) coordinate) of the presence-sensitive device at which the objectwas detected. In another example range, a presence-sensitive device maydetect an object six inches or less from the presence-sensitive device.Other example ranges are also possible. The presence-sensitive devicemay determine the location of the device selected by the object usingcapacitive, inductive, and/or optical recognition techniques. In someexamples, the presence-sensitive device provides output to a user usingtactile, audio, or video stimuli as described with respect to outputdevice 66.

Wearable computing device 20 may include operating system 70. Operatingsystem 70, in some examples, controls the operation of components ofwearable computing device 20. For example, operating system 70, in oneexample, facilitates the communication of UI module 24 and wearablecomputing device access mode module 26 with processors 60, communicationunits 64, storage devices 68, input devices 62, output devices 66, andsensor 34. UI module 24, wearable computing device access mode module26, telemetry module 28, and vicinity module 74, can each includeprogram instructions and/or data that are executable by wearablecomputing device 20 (e.g., by one or more processors 60). As oneexample, UI module 24 can include instructions that cause wearablecomputing device 20 to perform one or more of the operations and actionsdescribed in the present disclosure.

In some examples, wearable computing device 20 can also include avicinity module 74. In other examples, wearable computing device 20 maynot include vicinity module 74. Vicinity module 74 can be similar to orsubstantially the same as vicinity module 54 described with reference toFIG. 2. For example, vicinity module 74 can be operable by one or moreprocessors 60 to determine that a distance between mobile computingdevice 10 and wearable computing device 20 (FIG. 1) is less than athreshold distance, e.g., based at least in part on a signal generatedby one of devices 10 and 20 and received by the other of devices 10 and20.

Sensor 34 can be configured to detect a parameter indicative of wearablecomputing device 20 being worn by a user, and generate an indicationthat wearable computing device 20 is being worn by the user. Forexample, sensor 34 can include a proximity sensor, such as an infraredproximity sensor; a capacitive sensor; a light sensor; a physical buttonor contact; etc. Sensor 34 may be configured to generate an indication(e.g., a signal) when wearable computing device 20 is being worn by auser. For example, sensor 34 can be configured to be adjacent to andfacing a wrist of the user when the user is wearing wearable computingdevice 20, such that the proximity of the user's wrist to sensor 34generates a signal indicative of wearable computing device 20 being wornby the user or causes sensor 34 to generate a signal indicative ofwearable computing device 20 being worn by the user. Wearable computingdevice access module 26 can then receive the indication that wearablecomputing device 20 is being worn by the user.

Wearable computing device 20 can include additional components that, forclarity, are not shown in FIG. 3. For example, wearable computing device20 can include a battery to provide power to the components of wearablecomputing device 20. Similarly, the components of wearable computingdevice 20 shown in FIG. 3 may not be necessary in every example ofwearable computing device 20.

In accordance with one or more examples of the disclosure, wearablecomputing device access mode module 26 can be operable to control anaccess mode of a computing environment provided by wearable computingdevice 20, e.g., by one or more processors 60. For example, wearablecomputing device access mode module 26 can be operable to receive, fromsensor 34, an indication that the wearable computing device 20 is beingworn by a user.

Additionally, wearable computing device access mode module 26 can beoperable to receive an indication that a distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than athreshold distance. As described above, in some examples, vicinitymodule 74 can be operable to determine that the threshold distance isless than the threshold distance based at least in part on a signalgenerated by one of devices 10 and 20 and received by the other ofdevices 10 and 20. In some examples, vicinity module 74 can be operableto determine an approximate distance between devices 10 and 20 andcompare the approximate distance to the threshold distance.

Responsive to determining that the distance between mobile computingdevice 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than the thresholddistance, vicinity module 74 can be operable to communicate anindication of that the distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 is less than the threshold distance towearable computing device access mode module 26. Alternatively oradditionally, wearable computing device access mode module 26 can beoperable to receive the indication that the distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than athreshold distance from mobile computing device 10, e.g., using one ormore communication units 64.

In some examples, responsive to receiving the indications that wearablecomputing device 20 is being worn and the distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than thethreshold distance, wearable computing device access mode module 26 canbe operable to output a security challenge. The security challenge mayinclude a user interface screen, output at UI device 22 by UI module 24,which prompts a user of wearable computing device 20 to input a securitychallenge response, such as a password, a PIN, a pattern, biometric data(e.g., fingerprint, voice, image, or the like), etc.

Responsive to receiving the input security challenge response, wearablecomputing device access control module 26 can be operable to verify thesecurity challenge response against a stored security challenge response(e.g., a security challenge response input by the user when setting upthe security challenge). Responsive to verifying the input securitychallenge response in view of the stored security challenge response,wearable computing device access control module 26 can be operable tochange the access mode of the computing environment provided by wearablecomputing device 20 (e.g., one or more processors 60) from the reducedaccess mode to the increased access mode. In some examples, wearablecomputing device access mode module 26 can also be operable to causetelemetry module 28 to transmit, using communications units 64 and tomobile computing device 10, an instruction to change an access mode of acomputing environment provided by mobile computing device 10 from thereduced access mode to the increased access mode.

In other examples, instead of being operable to perform each of thesesteps, wearable computing device access mode module 26 can be operableto perform other functions. For example, instead of being operable tooutput the security challenge in response to receiving the indicationsthat wearable computing device 20 is being worn and the devices 10 and20 are within the threshold distance of each other, access mode module26 may not be operable to receive any of the indications (e.g., of thewearable computing device 20 being worn, the devices 10 and 20 beingwithin the threshold distance of each other, or of the response to thesecurity challenge). Instead, in some examples, wearable computingdevice access mode module 26 can be operable to receive, from mobilecomputing device 10, an instruction to change the access mode of thecomputing environment provided by wearable computing device 20 from thereduced access mode to the increased access mode. Other examples of thesteps of the technique being performed by mobile computing device 10,wearable computing device 20, or both are also possible and within thescope of this disclosure.

FIGS. 4-9 are flow diagrams illustrating example techniques for changingaccess modes of a mobile computing device and a wearable computingdevice based at least in part on indications that the wearable computingdevice being worn by a user and that the devices are within a thresholddistance of each other, in accordance with one or more techniques of thepresent disclosure. The technique of FIG. 4 may be performed by one ormore processors of a computing device, such as mobile computing device10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and wearable computing device 20illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. For purposes of illustration, thetechnique of FIG. 4 is described below within the context of mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 of FIGS. 1-3,although the technique of FIG. 4 may be performed by computing deviceshaving configurations different than that of mobile computing device 10and wearable computing device 20.

The technique of FIG. 4 includes receiving an indication that thewearable computing device is being worn by a user (82). As describedabove, the indication may be received by, for example, mobile computingdevice access mode module 16 and/or wearable computing device accessmode module 26. In examples in which mobile computing device access modemodule 16 receives the indication, mobile computing device access modemodule 16 may receive the indication from wearable computing device 20,e.g., using one or more communication units 44. In examples in whichwearable computing device access mode module 26 receives the indication,wearable computing device access mode module 26 may receive theindication from sensor 34.

The technique of FIG. 4 also can include receiving an indication that adistance between wearable computing device 20 and mobile computingdevice 10 is less than a threshold distance (84). In some examples,mobile computing device access mode module 16 can receive the indicationfrom vicinity module 54. In other examples, mobile computing deviceaccess mode module 16 can receive the indication from wearable computingdevice 20, e.g., using one or more communication units 44. Additionallyor alternatively, wearable computing device access mode module 26 canreceive the indication from vicinity module 74, or can receive theindication from mobile computing device 10, e.g., using one or morecommunication units 64. In this way, one or both of access mode modules16 and 26 can receive the indication that the distance between wearablecomputing device 20 and mobile computing device 10 is less than thethreshold distance (84).

In some examples, the technique of FIG. 4 also includes outputting asecurity challenge (86). One or both of mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 can output the security challenge. Forexample, wearable computing device access mode module 26 can output, fordisplay at UI device 22, a security challenge, and/or mobile computingdevice access mode module 16 can output, for display at UI device 12, asecurity challenge.

In some examples, access mode modules 16 and/or 26 can output thesecurity challenge in response to receiving the indications thatwearable computing device 20 is being worn by a user and a distancebetween mobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 isless than a threshold distance. In other examples, instead of receivingthe two indications, one of access mode module 16 or 26 may receive aninstruction to output the security challenge from the other of accessmode module 16 or 26. The other of access mode module 16 or 26 may havereceived the two indications, and can be operable to transmit, usingrespective communication units 44 or 64, the instruction.

Whichever of access mode modules 16 and/or 26 that outputs the securitychallenge can also receive an indication of a response to the securitychallenge, e.g., from the corresponding UI module 14 and/or 24.Responsive to receiving the response to the security challenge, theaccess mode module 16 and/or 26 can be operable to verify the responseto the security challenge against a stored response to the securitychallenge (88).

Responsive to verifying the response to the security challenge, wearablecomputing device access mode module 26 can change an access mode of acomputing environment provided by wearable computing device 20 from areduced access mode to an increased access mode (90). Similarly,responsive to verifying the response to the security challenge, mobilecomputing device access mode module 16 can change an access mode of acomputing environment provided by mobile computing device 10 from areduced access mode to an increased access mode. In examples in whichonly one of access mode module 16 or 26 outputs the security challenge(86) and verifies the response to the security challenge (88), the oneof access mode module 16 or 26 can transmit, using the correspondingcommunication units 44 or 64, an indication to the other of access modemodule 16 or 26 that the other of access mode module 16 or 26 is tochange the access mode of the corresponding device. In response toreceiving this indication, the other of access mode module 16 or 26 canbe operable to change the access mode of a computing environmentprovided by the corresponding device from a reduced access mode to anincreased access mode.

Hence, each of steps (82)-(92) may be performed by one or both of mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20, in anycombination. However, in some examples, most or all of the steps of thetechniques described herein may be performed by one of mobile computingdevice 10 or wearable computing device 20. FIG. 5 is an flow diagram ofan example technique for changing access modes of a mobile computingdevice and a wearable computing device based at least in part onindications that the wearable computing device being worn by a user andthat the devices are within a threshold distance of each other, whichmay be performed primarily by wearable computing device 20. Thetechnique of FIG. 5 may be performed by one or more processors of acomputing device, such as wearable computing device 20 illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3. For purposes of illustration, the technique of FIG. 5 isdescribed below within the context of wearable computing device 20 ofFIGS. 1 and 3, although the technique of FIG. 5 may be performed bycomputing devices having configurations different than that of wearablecomputing device 20.

The technique of FIG. 5 includes receiving, by one or more processors 60of wearable computing device 20, an indication of that wearablecomputing device 20 is being worn by a user (102). As described above,one or more processors 60 may receive the indication from sensor 34.

The technique of FIG. 5 also includes receiving an indication, by one ormore processors 60 of wearable computing device 20, that a distancebetween wearable computing device 20 and the mobile computing device 10is less than a threshold distance (104). In some examples, one or moreprocessors 60 of wearable computing device 20 can receive the indicationfrom mobile computing device 10, e.g., using one or more communicationunits 64.

The technique of FIG. 5 also can include outputting, by one or moreprocessors 60 of wearable computing device 20, a security challenge(106). For example, one or more processors 60 of wearable computingdevice 20 can output, for display at UI device 22, a security challenge.In some examples, one or more processors 60 of wearable computing device20 can output the security challenge in response to receiving theindications that wearable computing device 20 is being worn by a user(102) and the distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20 is less than the threshold distance. (102).Additionally, the technique of FIG. 5 can include verifying the responseto the security challenge against a saved security challenge response(108).

The technique of FIG. 5 also can include changing, by one or moreprocessors 60 of wearable computing device 20, an access mode of acomputing environment provided by one or more processors 60 from areduced access mode to an increased access mode (110). Finally, thetechnique of FIG. 5 can include transmitting, by one or more processors60 of wearable computing device 20, to one or more processors 40 ofmobile computing device 10, an instruction to change an access modeprovided by one or more processors from a reduced access mode to anincreased access mode (112). In this way, the technique of FIG. 5 isperformed by one or more processors 60 of wearable computing device 20.

In other examples, a technique may be performed by mobile computingdevice 10, e.g., one or more processors 40 of mobile computing device10. FIG. 6 is an flow diagram of an example technique for changingaccess modes of a mobile computing device and a wearable computingdevice based at least in part on indications that the wearable computingdevice being worn by a user and that the devices are within a thresholddistance of each other, which may be performed primarily by mobilecomputing device 20. The technique of FIG. 6 may be performed by one ormore processors of a computing device, such as mobile computing device10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. For purposes of illustration, thetechnique of FIG. 6 is described below within the context of mobilecomputing device 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, although the technique of FIG. 6may be performed by computing devices having configurations differentthan that of mobile computing device 10.

The technique of FIG. 6 includes receiving, by one or more processors 40of mobile computing device 10, an indication of that wearable computingdevice 20 is being worn by a user (122). As described above, one or moreprocessors 40 of mobile computing device 10 can receive the indicationfrom one or more processors 60 of wearable computing device 20, e.g.,using communication units 44 and 64.

The technique of FIG. 6 also includes determining, by one or moreprocessors 40 of mobile computing device 10, that a distance betweenwearable computing device 20 and mobile computing device 10 is less thana threshold distance (124). As described above, one or more processors40 (e.g., operable to execute vicinity module 54) can determine whetherthe distance between wearable computing device 20 and mobile computingdevice 10 is less than a threshold distance (124) based at least in parton whether mobile computing device 10 is within range to communicatewith wearable computing device 20 using one or more communication units44, e.g., via a direct communication protocol between mobile computingdevice 10 and wearable computing device 20, such as a Bluetooth or WiFiwireless network connection. For example, when mobile computing device10 is able to establish a direct wireless communication connection withwearable computing device 20, one or more processors 40 can be operableto determine that the distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 is less than the threshold distance. Inother examples, one or more processors 40 can be operable to determinean approximate distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20. For example, one or more processors 40 can beoperable to estimate the distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 based at least in part on a signalgenerated by one of devices 10 and 20 and received by the other ofdevices 10 and 20

The technique of FIG. 5 also can include outputting, by one or moreprocessors 40 of mobile computing device 10, a security challenge (126).For example, one or more processors 40 of mobile computing device 10 canoutput, for display at UI device 12, a security challenge. In someexamples, one or more processors 40 of mobile computing device 10 canoutput the security challenge in response to receiving the indicationthat wearable computing device 20 is being worn by a user (126) anddetermining that the distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 is less than the threshold distance. (124).Additionally, the technique of FIG. 5 can include verifying the responseto the security challenge against a saved security challenge response(128).

The technique of FIG. 6 also can include changing, by one or moreprocessors 40 of mobile computing device 10, an access mode of acomputing environment provided by one or more processors 40 from areduced access mode to an increased access mode (130). Finally, thetechnique of FIG. 6 can include transmitting, by one or more processors40 of mobile computing device 10, to one or more processors 60 ofwearable computing device 20, an instruction to change an access modeprovided by one or more processors from a reduced access mode to anincreased access mode (132). In this way, the technique of FIG. 6 isperformed by one or more processors 40 of mobile computing device 10.

In some examples, the techniques described herein may include additionalsteps, such as steps performed by one or more processors 40 of mobilecomputing device 10 and/or one or more processors 60 of wearablecomputing device 20 to change, based at least in part on occurrence ofone or more predefined events, an access mode provided by one or moreprocessors 40 and/or one or more processors 60 from the increased accessmode to the reduced access mode. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustratingan example technique performed by one or more processors 40 of mobilecomputing device 10 and/or one or more processors 60 of wearablecomputing device 20 in response to receiving an indication of thedistance between the devices 10 and 20 exceeds the threshold distance.

At the beginning of the technique of FIG. 7, both mobile computingdevice 10 and wearable computing device 20 are operating in increasedaccess modes, i.e., are not operating in the reduced access mode.Because mobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 areoperating in increased access modes, wearable computing device 20 isbeing worn by the user and the threshold distance between wearablecomputing device 20 and mobile computing device 10 is less than thethreshold distance. The technique of FIG. 7 includes determining thatthe distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20 exceeds (is greater than) the threshold distance (142). Asdescribed above, either or both of one or more processors 40 and one ormore processors 60 may determine whether the distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than orgreater than the threshold distance. For purposes of explanation only,in the example of FIG. 7, one or more processors 40 of mobile computingdevice 10 determines that the distance between mobile computing device10 and wearable computing device 20 exceeds (is greater than) thethreshold distance (142).

In some examples, one or more processors 40 can be configured to executeinstructions associated with vicinity module 54 (FIG. 2). Hence, one ormore processors 40 can be configured to determine that the distanceexceeds the threshold distance based at least in part on whether mobilecomputing device 10 is within range to communicate with wearablecomputing device 20 using one or more communication units 44, e.g., viaa direct communication protocol between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20, such as a Bluetooth or WiFi wirelessnetwork connection. For example, when mobile computing device 10 isunable to establish a direct wireless communication connection withwearable computing device 20, one or more processors 40 can beconfigured to determine that the distance between mobile computingdevice 10 and wearable computing device 20 exceeds the thresholddistance (142).

In other examples, one or more processors 40 can be configured todetermine an approximate distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20. For example, one or more processors 40 canbe operable to estimate the distance between mobile computing device 10and wearable computing device 20 based at least in part on a signalgenerated by one of devices 10 and 20 and received by the other ofdevices 10 and 20. The signal may include, for example, a wirelesscommunication signal, an optical signal, an audible signal, etc., asdescribed above. One or more processors 40 can then compare theestimated distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20 to a threshold distance and determine whether theestimated distance is less than or greater than the estimated distance.

In some examples, the threshold distance can be a predefined value,e.g., a distance value determined by a manufacturer or programmer ofmobile computing device 10 (and/or wearable computing device 20). Inother examples, the threshold distance can be a user defined value,which one or more processors 40 can be operable to allow the user todefine, e.g., using a user interface screen output for display at UIdevice 12. In some examples, the threshold distance may be selected tobe a value that indicates that mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20 are near each other, e.g., are sufficiently closethat the user of devices 10 and 20 is likely to have possession of bothdevices 10 and 20 and/or is likely to have control of both devices 10and 20. For example, the threshold distance may be selected to be avalue that is approximately equal to a common room dimension (e.g.,about 3 to 5 meters or about 9 to 15 feet). In other examples, thethreshold distance may be selected to be lesser (e.g., less than about 3meters) or greater (e.g., greater than about 5 meters, such as about 10meters, about 15 meters, or about 20 meters).

In instances in which one or more processors 40 determines that thedistance between mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20 exceeds the threshold distance, one or more processors 40 canbe configured to change the access mode of the computing environmentprovided by one or more processors 40 from the increased access mode tothe reduced access mode (144). One or more processors 40 can beconfigured this way because, while wearable computing device 20 remainsworn by the user, a distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 being greater than the threshold distanceindicates that the user is at least this distance from the mobilecomputing device 10. Hence, changing the access mode of the computingenvironment provided by one or more processors 40 from the increasedaccess mode to the reduced access mode (144) when the distance betweenmobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 exceeds thethreshold distance (142) may increase security of mobile computingdevice 10.

Additionally, in some examples, the technique of FIG. 7 includestransmitting, by one or more processors 40, to one or more processors 60of wearable computing device 20, an instruction to output an alert thatthe distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20 exceeds the threshold distance (146). One or more processors40 can transmit the instruction using one or more communication units44, and one or more processors 60 of wearable computing device 60 canreceive the instruction using one or more communication units 64. Insome examples, because mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20 may not be able to connect using a direct device communicationprotocol, one or more processors 40 can be configured to cause one ormore communication units 44 to transmit the instruction using adifferent communication protocol, e.g., an internet-based communicationprotocol.

One or more processors 60 can be configured to receive the instructionand to output the alert that the distance between mobile computingdevice 10 and wearable computing device 20 exceeds the thresholddistance. One or more processors 60 can be configured to output one ormore of, e.g., a visual alert for display at UI device 22, an audiblealert for output by one or more output devices 66, a haptic alert foroutput by one or more output devices 66, etc. In some examples, thealert may include a textual or audible indication that the distancebetween mobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20exceeds the threshold distance, e.g., a reminder to the user that he orshe has left his or her mobile computing device 10. In this way, thealert may notify the user about leaving mobile computing device 10, and,in some examples, prompt the user to retrieve mobile computing device10.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example technique performed byone or more processors 40 of mobile computing device 10 and/or one ormore processors 60 of wearable computing device 20 in response toreceiving an indication of the distance between the devices 10 and 20 isless the threshold distance, e.g., after determining that the distancebetween mobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20exceeds the threshold distance. For example, the technique of FIG. 8 canbe implemented by one or more processors 40 of mobile computing device10 and/or one or more processors 60 of wearable computing device 20 uponthe user retrieving mobile computing device 10 at the end of thetechnique of FIG. 7.

At the beginning of the technique of FIG. 8, wearable computing device20 is operating in the increased access mode, and mobile computingdevice 10 is operating in the reduced access mode. Additionally,wearable computing device 20 is being worn by the user. The technique ofFIG. 8 includes determining that the distance between mobile computingdevice 10 and wearable computing device 20 is less than the thresholddistance (152). As described above, either or both of one or moreprocessors 40 and one or more processors 60 may determine whether thedistance between mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20 is less than or greater than the threshold distance. Forpurposes of explanation only, in the example of FIG. 8, one or moreprocessors 40 of mobile computing device 10 determines that the distancebetween mobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 isless than the threshold distance (152).

In some examples, one or more processors 40 can be configured to executeinstructions associated with vicinity module 54 (FIG. 2). Hence, one ormore processors 40 can be configured to determine that the distanceexceeds the threshold distance based at least in part on whether mobilecomputing device 10 is within range to communicate with wearablecomputing device 20 using one or more communication units 44, e.g., viaa direct communication protocol between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20, such as a Bluetooth or WiFi wirelessnetwork connection. For example, when mobile computing device 10 is ableto establish a direct wireless communication connection with wearablecomputing device 20, one or more processors 40 can be configured todetermine that the distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 is less than the threshold distance (152).

In other examples, one or more processors 40 can be configured todetermine an approximate distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20. For example, one or more processors 40 canbe operable to estimate the distance between mobile computing device 10and wearable computing device 20 based at least in part on a signalgenerated by one of devices 10 and 20 and received by the other ofdevices 10 and 20. The signal may include, for example, a wirelesscommunication signal, an optical signal, an audible signal, etc., asdescribed above. One or more processors 40 can then compare theestimated distance between mobile computing device 10 and wearablecomputing device 20 to a threshold distance and determine whether theestimated distance is less than or greater than the estimated distance.

In instances in which one or more processors 40 determines that thedistance between mobile computing device 10 and wearable computingdevice 20 is less than the threshold distance (e.g., as the userapproaches mobile computing device 10, bringing wearable computingdevice 20 closer to mobile computing device 10), one or more processors40 can be configured to change the access mode of the computingenvironment provided by one or more processors 40 from the reducedaccess mode to the increased access mode (134). In some examples, one ormore processors 40 can be configured to change the access modeautomatically, i.e., without user intervention, in response todetermining that the distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 is less than the threshold distance (152).Because mobile computing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 werepreviously both operating in the increased access modes (e.g., prior toone or more processors determining that the distance between mobilecomputing device 10 and wearable computing device 20 was greater thanthe threshold distance (142; FIG. 7)), and wearable computing device 20has continued to be worn by the user, changing the access mode of mobilecomputing device 10 to the increased access mode in response in responseto determining that the distance between mobile computing device 10 andwearable computing device 20 is less than the threshold distance (152)may be convenient for the user and may not significantly decrease thesecurity of mobile computing device 10.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram that illustrates a technique that one or moreprocessors 40 and/or one or more processors 60 can be configured toexecute upon receiving an indication that wearable computing device 20is not being worn by the user. Prior to the technique of FIG. 9,wearable computing device 20 is being worn by a user and is operating inthe increased access mode. Additionally, mobile computing device 10 isless than the threshold distance from wearable computing device 10 andis operating in the increased access mode. For purposes of illustration,the technique of FIG. 9 will be described as being performed by one ormore processors 60 of mobile computing device. In some examples,however, one or more of the steps of FIG. 9 can be performed by one ormore processors 40 of mobile computing device 10.

The technique of FIG. 9 includes receiving, by one or more processors60, an indication that wearable computing device 20 is not being worn bythe user (162). As described above, sensor 34 can be configured todetect a parameter indicative of wearable computing device 20 being wornby a user, and generate an indication that wearable computing device 20is being worn by the user. For example, sensor 34 can include aproximity sensor, such as an infrared proximity sensor; a capacitivesensor; a light sensor; a physical button or contact; etc.

Additionally, upon no longer detecting the parameter indicative ofwearable computing device 20 being worn by the user, sensor 34 can beconfigured to generate an indication (e.g., a signal) that wearablecomputing device 20 is not being worn by a user. One or more processors60 can receiving this indication.

Responsive to receiving the indication that wearable computing device 20is not being worn by the user (162), one or more processors 60 can beconfigured to change the access mode of the computing environmentprovided by one or more processors 60 from the increased access mode tothe reduced access mode (164). This may provide security to wearablecomputing device 20, because any subsequent interaction with wearablecomputing device 20 will require the user to respond to a securitychallenge.

Additionally, one or more processors 60 can be configured to transmit aninstruction, to one or more processors 40 of mobile computing device 10,to change the access mode provided by one or more processors 40 from theincreased access mode to the reduced access mode (166). One or moreprocessors 60 can transmit the instruction using one or morecommunication units 64, and one or more processors 40 of mobilecomputing device 10 can receive the instruction using one or morecommunication units 44. Upon receiving the instruction, one or moreprocessors 40 of mobile computing device 10 can be configured to changethe access mode provided by one or more processors 40 from the increasedaccess mode to the reduced access mode. Hence, when wearable computingdevice 20 is not being worn by the user, both mobile computing device 10and wearable computing device 20 may operate in the reduced accessmodes, and a user or either device may be required to respond to asecurity challenge presented by the respective device to interact withthe respective device in the increased access mode.

Clause 1. A method comprising: receiving, by a processor of a wearablecomputing device and from a sensor, an indication that the wearablecomputing device is being worn by a user; responsive to receiving theindication that the wearable computing device is being worn by the userand based at least in part on an indication that a distance between thewearable computing device and a mobile computing device is less than athreshold distance, outputting, by the processor of the wearablecomputing device, a security challenge; changing, by the processor ofthe wearable computing device, based at least in part on the indicationsthat the wearable computing device is being worn and that the distanceis less than the threshold distance, an access mode of a computingenvironment provided by the wearable computing device from a reducedaccess mode to an increased access mode; and transmitting, by thewearable computing device, to the mobile computing device, aninstruction to change an access mode of a computing environment providedby the mobile computing device from a reduced access mode to anincreased access mode.

Clause 2. The method of clause 1, further comprising determining, by theprocessor of the wearable computing device, that the distance betweenthe wearable computing device and the mobile computing device is lessthan the threshold distance.

Clause 3. The method of clause 2, wherein determining that the distancebetween the wearable computing device and the mobile computing device isless than the threshold distance comprises: receiving, by the processorof the wearable computing device, an indication of a wirelesscommunication link between the wearable computing device and the mobilecomputing device; responsive to receiving the indication of the wirelesscommunication link, determining, based on a signal strength of thewireless communication link, an approximate distance between thewearable computing device and the mobile computing device; and comparingthe approximate distance between the wearable computing device and themobile computing device to the threshold distance.

Clause 4. The method of clause 2, wherein determining that the distancebetween the wearable computing device and the mobile computing device isless than the threshold distance comprises receiving, by the processorof the wearable computing device, an indication of a wirelesscommunication link between the wearable computing device and the mobilecomputing device.

Clause 5. The method of clause 1, further comprising receiving, by theprocessor of the wearable computing device, from the mobile computingdevice, the indication that the distance between the wearable computingdevice and the mobile computing device is less than the thresholddistance.

Clause 6. The method of any of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the sensorcomprises at least one of a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, acamera, a physical contact on a connecting structure of the wearablecomputing device, an electrical contact on a connecting structure of thewearable computing device, and a pressure sensor.

Clause 7. The method of any of clauses 1 to 6, further comprising:receiving, by the processor of the wearable computing device, anindication of a response to the security challenge, and whereinchanging, based at least in part on the indications that the wearablecomputing device is being worn and that the distance is less than thethreshold distance, the access mode of the computing environmentprovided by the wearable computing device from the reduced access modeto the increased access mode comprises changing, based at least in parton the indications that the wearable computing device is being worn,that the distance is less than the threshold distance, and of theresponse to the security challenge, the access mode of the computingenvironment provided by the wearable computing device from the reducedaccess mode to the increased access mode.

Clause 8. The method of any of clauses 1 to 7, further comprising: afterchanging the access mode of the computing environment provided by thewearable computing device, receiving, by the processor of the wearablecomputing device, an indication that the distance between the mobilecomputing device and the wearable computing device exceeds the thresholddistance; and responsive to receiving the indication that the distancebetween the mobile computing device and the wearable computing deviceexceeds the threshold distance, transmitting, by the processor of thewearable computing device, to the mobile computing device, aninstruction to change the access mode of the computing environmentprovided by the mobile computing device from the increased access modeto the reduced access mode.

Clause 9. The method of clause 8, further comprising outputting, by theprocessor of the wearable computing device, an alert that the distancebetween the mobile computing device and the wearable computing devicehas exceeded the threshold distance.

Clause 10. The method of any of clauses 1 to 9, further comprising:after changing the access mode of the computing environment provided bythe wearable computing device, receiving, by the processor of thewearable computing device, an indication that the wearable computingdevice is not being worn by the user of the wearable computing device;and responsive to receiving the indication that the wearable computingdevice is not being worn by the user, changing, by the processor of thewearable computing device, the access mode of the computing environmentprovided by the wearable computing device from the increased access modeto the reduced access mode, and transmitting, by the processor of thewearable computing device, to the mobile computing device, aninstruction to change the access mode of the computing environmentprovided by the mobile computing device from the increased access modeto the reduced access mode.

Clause 11. A system comprising: a mobile computing device comprising oneor more mobile computing device processors; a wearable computing devicecomprising one or more wearable computing device processors and asensor, wherein the sensor is configured to generate an indication thatthe wearable computing device is being worn by a user; a mobilecomputing device access mode module operable by the one or more mobilecomputing device processors to receive the indication that the wearablecomputing device is being worn by the user and change, based at least inpart on the indication that the wearable computing device is being wornby the user and an indication that a distance between the wearablecomputing device and the mobile computing device is less than athreshold distance, an access mode of a computing environment providedby the mobile computing device from a reduced access mode to anincreased access mode; and a wearable computing device access modemodule operable by the one or more wearable computing device processorsto receive the indication that the wearable computing device is beingworn by the user and change, based at least in part on the indicationthat the wearable computing device is being worn by the user and theindication that the distance between the wearable computing device andthe mobile computing device is less than the threshold distance, anaccess mode of a computing environment provided by the wearablecomputing device from a reduced access mode to an increased access mode.

Clause 12. The system of clause 11, further comprising a vicinity moduleoperable by at least one processor of the one or more wearable computingdevice processors and the one or more mobile computing device processorsto determine that a distance between the wearable computing device andthe mobile computing device is less than a threshold distance andgenerate the indication that the distance between the wearable computingdevice and the mobile computing device is less than the thresholddistance.

Clause 13. The system of clause 12, wherein the vicinity module isoperable by the at least one processor of the one or more wearablecomputing device processors and the one or more mobile computing deviceprocessors to: receive an indication of a wireless communication linkbetween the wearable computing device and the mobile computing device;responsive to receiving the indication of the wireless communicationlink, determine, based on a signal strength of the wirelesscommunication link, an approximate distance between the wearablecomputing device and the mobile computing device; and compare theapproximate distance between the wearable computing device and themobile computing device to the threshold distance.

Clause 14. The system of any of clauses 11 to 13, wherein the mobilecomputing device access mode module is further operable by the one ormore mobile computing device processors to: responsive to receiving theindications that the wearable computing device is being worn by the userand the distance between the wearable computing device and the mobilecomputing device is less than the threshold distance, output a securitychallenge; receive an indication of a response to the securitychallenge; verify the response to the security challenge against a savedsecurity challenge response; change, based at least in part on theindications that the wearable computing device is being worn by the userand the distance between the wearable computing device, that the mobilecomputing device is less than the threshold distance, and of theresponse to the security challenge, the access mode of the computingenvironment provided by the mobile computing device from the reducedaccess mode to the increased access mode; and transmit, responsive toreceiving the indications that the wearable computing device is beingworn by the user and the distance between the wearable computing device,that the mobile computing device is less than the threshold distance,and of the response to the security challenge, to the wearable computingdevice, an instruction to change the access mode of the computingenvironment provided by the wearable computing device from the reducedaccess mode to the increased access mode.

Clause 15. The system of any of clauses 11 to 14, wherein the sensorcomprises at least one of a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, acamera, a physical contact on a connecting structure of the wearablecomputing device, an electrical contact on a connecting structure of thewearable computing device, and a pressure sensor.

Clause 16. The system of any of clauses 11 to 15, further comprising atelemetry module operable by at least one of processor of the one ormore mobile computing device processors and the one or more mobilecomputing device processors to, prior to the vicinity module determiningthat the distance between the wearable computing device and the mobilecomputing device is less than the threshold distance, establish awireless communication link between the wearable computing device andthe mobile computing device.

Clause 17. The system of any of clauses 11 to 16, wherein the mobilecomputing device access mode module is operable by the one or moremobile computing device processors to: receive an indication that thedistance between the mobile computing device and the wearable computingdevice exceeds the threshold distance, and responsive to receiving theindication that the distance between the mobile computing device and thewearable computing device exceeds the threshold distance, change theaccess mode of the computing environment provided by the mobilecomputing device from the increased access mode to the reduced accessmode.

Clause 18. The system of clause 17, wherein the wearable computingdevice access mode module is further operable by the one or morewearable computing device processors to output an alert that thedistance between the mobile computing device and the wearable computingdevice has exceeded the threshold distance.

Clause 19. The system of clause 17 or 18, wherein the mobile computingdevice access mode module is further operable by the one or more mobilecomputing device processors to: after changing the access mode of thecomputing environment provided by the mobile computing device from theincreased access mode to the reduced access mode, receive an indicationthat the distance between the mobile computing device and the wearablecomputing device is less than the threshold distance; and responsive toreceiving the indication that the distance between the mobile computingdevice and the wearable computing device is less than the thresholddistance, change the access mode of the computing environment providedby the mobile computing device from the reduced access mode to theincreased access mode.

Clause 20. The system of any of clauses 11 to 19, wherein the sensorgenerates, after the access modes of the computing environments providedby the mobile computing device and the wearable computing device havebeen changed, an indication that the wearable computing device is notbeing worn by the user, wherein the mobile computing device access modemodule is further operable by the one or more mobile computing deviceprocessors to, responsive to receiving the indication that the wearablecomputing device is not being worn by the user, change the access modeof the computing environment provided by the mobile computing devicefrom the increased access mode to the reduced access mode, and whereinthe wearable computing device access mode module is further operable bythe one or more wearable mobile computing device processors to,responsive to receiving the indication that the wearable computingdevice is not being worn by the user, change the access mode of thecomputing environment provided by the wearable computing device from theincreased access mode to the reduced access mode.

Clause 21. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that,when executed, cause at least one processor of a mobile computing deviceto: receive, from a wearable computing device, an indication that thewearable computing device is being worn by a user; determine that adistance between the wearable computing device and the mobile computingdevice is less than a threshold distance; change, based at least in parton the indication that the wearable computing device is being worn bythe user and the determination that the distance between the wearablecomputing device and the mobile computing device is less than thethreshold distance, an access mode of the computing environment providedby the mobile computing device from a reduced access mode to anincreased access mode; and transmit, to the wearable computing device,an instruction to change an access mode of a computing environmentprovided by the wearable computing device from a reduced access mode toan increased access mode.

Clause 22. The computer-readable storage device of claim 21, furthercomprising instructions that, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor of the mobile computing device to: responsive to receiving theindication that the wearable computing device is being worn by the userand determining that the distance between the wearable computing deviceand the mobile computing device is less than the threshold distance,output a security challenge, and wherein the instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the at least one processor of the mobile computingdevice to change, based at least in part on the indication that thewearable computing device is being worn by the user and thedetermination that the distance between the wearable computing deviceand the mobile computing device is less than the threshold distance, theaccess mode of the computing environment provided by the mobilecomputing device from the reduced access mode to the increased accessmode comprise instructions that, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor of the mobile computing device to change, based at least inpart on the indication that the wearable computing device is being wornby the user, the determination that the distance between the wearablecomputing device and the mobile computing device is less than thethreshold distance, and an indication of a response to the securitychallenge, the access mode of the computing environment provided by themobile computing device from the reduced access mode to the increasedaccess mode.

Clause 23. The computer-readable storage device of clause 21 or 22,wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor of the mobile computing device to determine that the distancebetween the wearable computing device and the mobile computing device isless than the threshold distance cause the at least one processor of themobile computing device to: receive an indication of a wirelesscommunication link between the wearable computing device and the mobilecomputing device; responsive to receiving the indication of the wirelesscommunication link, determine, based on a signal strength of thewireless communication link, an approximate distance between thewearable computing device and the mobile computing device; and comparethe approximate distance between the wearable computing device and themobile computing device to the threshold distance.

Clause 24. The computer-readable storage device of clause 21 or 22,wherein the instructions that, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor of the mobile computing device to determine that the distancebetween the wearable computing device and the mobile computing device isless than the threshold distance cause the at least one processor of themobile computing device to receive an indication of a wirelesscommunication link between the wearable computing device and the mobilecomputing device.

Clause 25. The computer-readable storage device of any of clauses 21 to24, further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause the atleast one processor of the mobile computing device to: after changingthe access mode of the computing environment provided by the mobilecomputing device from the reduced access mode to the increased accessmode, determine that the distance between the mobile computing deviceand the wearable computing device exceeds the threshold distance;change, based at least in part on determining that the distance betweenthe mobile computing device and the wearable computing device exceedsthe threshold distance, the access mode of the computing environmentprovided by the mobile computing device from the increased access modeto the reduced access mode; and transmit, to the wearable computingdevice, an indication that the distance between the mobile computingdevice and the wearable computing device exceeds the threshold distance.

Clause 26. The computer-readable storage device of clause 25, furthercomprising instructions that, when executed, cause the at least oneprocessor of the mobile computing device to: after changing the accessmode of the computing environment provided by the mobile computingdevice from the increased access mode to the reduced access mode,determine that the distance between the mobile computing device and thewearable computing device is less than the threshold distance; andresponsive to determining that the distance between the mobile computingdevice and the wearable computing device is less than the thresholddistance, change the access mode of the computing environment providedby the mobile computing device from the reduced access mode to theincreased access mode.

Clause 27. The computer-readable storage device of any of clauses 21 to26, further comprising instructions that, when executed, cause the atleast one processor of the mobile computing device to: after changingthe access mode of the computing environment provided by the mobilecomputing device from the reduced access mode to the increased accessmode, receive, from the wearable computing device, an indication thatthe wearable computing device is not being worn by the user; andresponsive to receiving the indication that the wearable computingdevice is not being worn by the user, change the access mode of thecomputing environment provided by the mobile computing device from theincreased access mode to the increased access mode.

In one or more examples, the functions described herein may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted over, as one or more instructions or code, acomputer-readable medium or computer-readable storage device andexecuted by a hardware-based processing unit. Computer-readable mediamay include computer-readable storage media, which corresponds to atangible medium such as data storage media, or communication mediaincluding any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer programfrom one place to another, e.g., according to a communication protocol.In this manner, computer-readable media generally may correspond to (1)tangible computer-readable storage media or computer-readable storagedevice, which is non-transitory or (2) a communication medium such as asignal or carrier wave. Data storage media may be any available mediathat can be accessed by one or more computers or one or more processorsto retrieve instructions, code and/or data structures for implementationof the techniques described in this disclosure. A computer programproduct may include a computer-readable medium.

By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable storagemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, flashmemory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired programcode in the form of instructions or data structures and that can beaccessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed acomputer-readable medium. For example, if instructions are transmittedfrom a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable,fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), orwireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then thecoaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wirelesstechnologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in thedefinition of medium. It should be understood, however, thatcomputer-readable storage media and data storage media do not includeconnections, carrier waves, signals, or other transient media, but areinstead directed to non-transient, tangible storage media. Disk anddisc, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, opticaldisc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc, wheredisks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce dataoptically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as one ormore digital signal processors (DSPs), general purpose microprocessors,application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmablelogic arrays (FPGAs), or other equivalent integrated or discrete logiccircuitry. Accordingly, the term “processor,” as used herein may referto any of the foregoing structure or any other structure suitable forimplementation of the techniques described herein. In addition, in someaspects, the functionality described herein may be provided withindedicated hardware and/or software modules. Also, the techniques couldbe fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements.

The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide varietyof devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, an integratedcircuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip set). Various components,modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasizefunctional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosedtechniques, but do not necessarily require realization by differenthardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may becombined in a hardware unit or provided by a collection ofinteroperative hardware units, including one or more processors asdescribed above, in conjunction with suitable software and/or firmware.

Various examples have been described. These and other examples arewithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: responsive to determining,by a processor of a mobile computing device, that a distance between themobile computing device and a wearable computing device has changed fromless than a threshold distance to greater than the threshold distance:transmitting, by the processor of the mobile computing device to aprocessor of the wearable communication device, an instruction to outputan alert; and changing, by the processor of the mobile computing deviceand based at least in part on determining that the distance has changedto greater than the threshold distance, an access mode of a computingenvironment of the mobile computing device from an increased accesssecurity mode to a reduced access security mode in which a user ispermitted access to a smaller set of functionality provided by thewearable computing device than when in the increased access securitymode.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the instruction tooutput the alert comprises transmitting an instruction to output analert indicating that the distance between the mobile computing deviceand wearable computing device exceeds the threshold distance.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein transmitting the instruction to output thealert comprises transmitting an instruction to output an alert promptingthe user to retrieve the mobile computing device.
 4. The method of claim1, further comprising: after determining, by the processor of the mobilecomputing device, that the distance between the mobile computing deviceand the wearable computing device exceeds the threshold distance,determining, by the processor of the mobile computing device, that thedistance between the mobile computing device and the wearable computingdevice is less the threshold distance; and responsive to receiving theindication that the distance between the mobile computing device and thewearable computing device is less the threshold distance, changing, bythe processor of the mobile computing device, the access mode of thecomputing environment of the mobile computing device from the reducedaccess mode to the increased access mode.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein changing the access mode of the computing environment comprises:responsive to receiving, by the processor of the mobile computingdevice, an indication that the wearable computing device is being wornby the user, changing the access mode of the computing environment ofthe mobile computing device from the reduced access mode to theincreased access mode automatically without user intervention.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining that the distance between themobile computing device and the wearable computing device is greaterthan the threshold distance comprises: receiving, by the processor ofthe mobile computing device, an indication of a wireless communicationlink between the mobile computing device and the wearable computingdevice; responsive to receiving the indication of the wirelesscommunication link, determining, based on a signal strength of thewireless communication link, an approximate distance between the mobilecomputing device and the wearable computing device; and determining thatthe approximate distance between the mobile computing device and thewearable computing device is greater than the threshold distance.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining that the distance between themobile computing device and the wearable computing device is greaterthan the threshold distance comprises: receiving, by the processor ofthe mobile computing device, an indication of a loss of a wirelesscommunication link between the wearable computing device and the mobilecomputing device; and determining, by the processor of the mobilecomputing device and based on the indication of the loss of the wirelesscommunication link, that the distance between the mobile computingdevice and the wearable computing device is greater than the thresholddistance.
 8. A system comprising: a mobile computing device comprising:one or more mobile computing device processors configured to determinethat a distance between the mobile computing device and a wearablecomputing device has changed from less than a threshold distance togreater than the threshold distance; and a mobile computing deviceaccess mode module operable by the one or more mobile computing deviceprocessors to change, based at least in part on determining that thedistance has changed to greater than the threshold distance, an accessmode of a computing environment of the mobile computing device from anincreased access security mode to a reduced access security mode inwhich a user is permitted access to a smaller set of functionalityprovided by the wearable computing device than when in the increasedaccess security mode; and a wearable computing device comprising one ormore wearable computing device processors configured to determine thatthe distance between the mobile computing device and the wearablecomputing device has changed from less than the threshold distance togreater than the threshold distance, and, responsive to determining thatthe distance has changed to greater than the threshold distance, outputan alert.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more wearablecomputing device processors are configured to, responsive to receivingthe instruction to output the alert, output an alert prompting the userto retrieve the mobile computing device.
 10. The system of claim 8,wherein the one or more mobile computing device processors areconfigured to: after determining that the distance between the mobilecomputing device and the wearable computing device exceeds the thresholddistance, receive an indication that the distance between the mobilecomputing device and the wearable computing device is less the thresholddistance; and responsive to receiving the indication that the distancebetween the mobile computing device and the wearable computing device isless the threshold distance, change the access mode of the computingenvironment of the mobile computing device from the reduced access modeto the increased access mode.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein theone or more mobile computing device processors are configured toautomatically change the access mode of the computing environment atleast in part in response to receiving an indication that the wearablecomputing device is being worn by the user.
 12. The system of claim 8,wherein the wearable computing device further comprises a user interfacemodule operable to output, for display by a display device of thewearable computing device, the alert via a graphical user interfaceincluding one or more user interface elements.
 13. A computer-readablestorage medium storing instructions that, when executed, cause at leastone processor of a wearable computing device to: determine that adistance between a mobile computing device and the wearable computingdevice has changed from less than a threshold distance to greater thanthe threshold distance; and responsive to determining that the distancehas changed to greater than the threshold distance, output an alert. 14.The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, further comprisinginstructions that cause the processor of the wearable computing deviceto: determine that the wearable computing device is being worn by auser, wherein the instructions that cause the processor of the wearablecomputing device to output the alert comprise instructions to cause theprocessor to output an alert prompting the user to retrieve the mobilecomputing device.
 15. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 14,wherein the instructions to cause the processor to output the alertprompting the user to retrieve the mobile computing device compriseinstructions to output an audible alert.
 16. The computer-readablestorage medium of claim 13, wherein the wearable computing devicecomprises a user interface module operable to output, for display by adisplay device of the wearable computing device, the alert via agraphical user interface including one or more user interface elements.17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein theinstructions that cause the wearable computing device to determine thatthe distance between the mobile computing device and the wearablecomputing device has changed from less than the threshold distance togreater than the threshold distance comprises instructions to receive,from the mobile computing device, an instruction to output the alertindicating that the distance between the mobile computing device and thewearable computing device exceeds the threshold distance.
 18. Thecomputer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the instructionsthat cause the processor of the wearable computing device to receive theinstruction to output the alert comprises instructions that cause theprocessor of the wearable computing device to receive the instructionvia an internet-based communication protocol.
 19. The computer-readablestorage medium of claim 13, wherein the instructions that cause theprocessor of the wearable computing device to determine that thedistance has changed to greater than the threshold distance compriseinstructions that cause the processor of the wearable computing deviceto detect an indication of a loss of a wireless communication linkbetween the wearable computing device and the mobile computing device,the computing-readable storage medium further storing instructions thatcause the processor of the wearable computing device to output anindication to the mobile computing device that the distance between themobile computing device and a wearable computing device is greater thanthe threshold distance.